Moulded container

ABSTRACT

A moulded container, particularly for the packaging of frangible articles, such as eggs. The container is characterized by a covered tray having a plurality of cup-shaped cells formed therein, each receiving one of a number of similar articles, which may vary slightly in size and contour, but each having a transverse cross-section which is essentially circular. The cells in a longitudinal row are separated by vertical webs extending transversely of the long dimension of the carton. The longitudinal rows of eggs are effectively separated from each other by a detachable longitudinal partition divider located in position by structure at the tray deck, the divider extending upward from the plane of the tray deck and in contact with the underside of the cover, which is hinged to a tray side. The vertical partition divider is so positioned to give good stacking strength to the loaded container to protect the tops of the eggs, and is readily removable to facilitate removal of the individual eggs as needed.

United States Patent 1191 Seymour MOULDED CONTAINER [75] Inventor: Paul R. Seymour, Downington, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Container Corporation of America,

Chicago, Ill.

22 Filed: May 12, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 142,508

Primary Examiner-Donald F. Norton AttorneyCarpenter, Ostis & Lindberg 1451 July 17,1973

[57] ABSTRACT A moulded container, particularly for the packaging of frangible articles, such as eggs. The container is characterized by a covered tray having a plurality of cupshaped cells formed therein, each receiving one of a number of similar articles, which may vary slightly in size and contour, but each having a transverse crosssection which is essentially circular. The cells in a longitudinal row are separated by vertical webs extending transversely of the long dimension of the carton. The longitudinal rows of eggs are effectively separated from each other by a detachable longitudinal partition divider located in position by structure at the tray deck, the divider extending upward from the plane of the tray deck and in contact with the underside of the cover, which is hinged to a tray side. The vertical partition divider is so positioned to give good stacking strength to the loaded container to protect the tops of the eggs, and is readily removable to facilitate removal of the individual eggs as needed.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented July 17, 1973 3,746,241

2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR PAUL R. SEYMOUR ATTORNEYS Patented July 17, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F'IG5 PIC-J INVENTOR PAUL R. SEYMOUR BY W,

.4 M fi ToR EYs MOULDED CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to containers for frangible articles, such as eggs or the like, and more particularly to containers formed from mouldable material and adapted to retain articles of slightly varying size and contour.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Containers of this general type are generally moulded from foamed styrene or like materials. This invention is directed to the provision of structure providing good separation of the eggs between the longitudinal rows without the need of high posts between the cells for the eggs, said structure comprehending the provision of a detachable vertical partition divider disposed between the longitudinal rows and secured to the container tray. The divider gives good stacking strength to the loaded container, and by reason of being readily removable after opening of the container, individual eggs may be readily removed therefrom.

THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a moulded container constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section therethrough;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of another form of divider;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section through a carton with the divider of FIG. 4 in position;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another form of divider; and

FIG. 7 is a section through a carton showing the divider of FIG. 6 in position.

The improved container according to the present invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral l0, and is preferably formed in a moulding operation from foamed styrene as a moulding material. Container 10 is adapted to retain a number of eggs E, and includes a tray portion 11 and a cover portion 12 hingedly connected to an edge of the tray portion 11 by an integrally moulded hinge 13. A locking flap 14 is connected to tray 11 by an integrally formed hinge 16, and locks to a front wall 17 of the cover portion 12. Locking flap 14 has hollow locking bosses 18 therein cooperating with mating hollow locking bosses 19 formed in the cover 12 to lock cover 12 to tray 11.

The tray portion 11 includes a deck 21 having a plurality of cup-shaped cells 22 which depend therefrom. The cells 22 of a longitudinal row are separated in part by transverse extending webs 23 which also forms part of contiguous cells 22.

The inner sides 24 of the cells 22 together with the webs 23 maintain the eggs of a longitudinal row separated from each other, and structure is also provided for effecting separation of the eggs between longitudinal rows thereof.

Accordingly, deck 21 has each end thereof provided with a raised transversely extending boss 26 provided with a slot 27 open at the top thereof. Each slot 27 is adapted to form a saddle for a longitudinally extending partition 28 having a lower edge 29 resting upon the transverse webs 23. An upper edge 31 of partition 28 is held between a pair of closely spaced retainer members 32 extending downward from a cover panel 33 and retaining partition 28 therebetween.

The vertical dimension of partition 28 is so chosen that it will bear against the underside of cover panel 33 and upon the deck 21 of the tray 11 to provide good stacking strength of the loaded carton l0. Partition 28 is readily removable upon opening of carton 10 to facilitate removal of the individual eggs E.

In FIG. and FIG. 5 there is shown another form of partition divider referred to by the reference number 31A. It is adapted to be supported at its ends in the saddles or bosses 26 and to rest additionally on the deck 21. The upper edge 34 of divider 31A has spaced lugs 36 extending therefrom, these extending through slots 37 in the cover 33.

The carton seen in FIG. 5 is in all other respect identical with the carton seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive.

In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 there is shown still another form of partition referred to by reference numeral 31B. In this form of the invention the deck 21 is not provided with saddles or bosses 26 at the ends thereof, but instead the divider 31B is provided with a locking lug 39 at the lower edge midway thereof. Lug 39 is adapted to enter a slot 38 formed in the tray deck 21 midway of the length thereof and between the longitudinal rows of cells.

As with the embodiment of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the carton shown is identical to the carton shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The divider seen in these last two embodiments also provide good stacking strength for a loaded carton.

I claim:

1. In a container formed from mouldable material:

a. a tray having a top deck extending in a generally horizontal plane;

b. a plurality of similar, generally cup-shaped cells extending downward from said deck and arranged in a pair of side-by-side longitudinal rows, each of said cells being adapted to receive one of a number of similar frangible articles such as eggs, and being generally circular in transverse cross-section;

c. a cover including a cover panel with hinge means for connecting said cover to said tray;

d. generally vertical webs extending laterally between the cells of a longitudinal row to separate the eggs of such row;

e. a vertical removable partition extending lengthwise of said tray and between said longitudinal rows;

f. means on said deck for removably retaining said partition in position between said longitudinal rows to separate the eggs of one longitudinal row from the eggs of another longitudinal row;

. means on the inner side of said cover panel for removably retaining said partition in position;

. said partition being in bearing contact with said first mentioned deck and said cover panel to provide good stacking strength of said container when loaded, and being readily removable to facilitate removal of articles from said cells and nesting of the empty carton.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein said retainer means includes a slotted transversely boss disposed at each end of said deck for retaining said partition in position.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the means on the inner side of said cover panel is provided with spaced retainer members extending down from means on the inner side of said cover panel comprises said cover panel and holding said partition therebea slot to receive a locking lug on said partition extendtween. ing through said slot.

4. A container according to claim 1 wherein the 

1. In a container formed from mouldable material: a. a tray having a top deck extending in a generally horizontal plane; b. a plurality of similar, generally cup-shaped cells extending downward from said deck and arranged in a pair of side-by-side longitudinal rows, each of said cells being adapted to receive one of a number of similar frangible articles such as eggs, and being generally circular in transverse cross-section; c. a cover including a cover panel with hinge means for connecting said cover to said tray; d. generally vertical webs extending laterally between the cells of a longitudinal row to separate the eggs of such row; e. a vertical removable partition extending lengthwise of said tray and between said longitudinal rows; f. means on said deck for removably retaining said partition in position between said longitudinal rows to separate the eggs of one longitudinal row from the eggs of another longitudinal row; g. means on the inner side of said cover panel for removably retaining said partition in position; h. said partition being in bearing contact with said first mentioned deck and said cover panel to provide good stacking strength of said container when loaded, and being readily removable to facilitate removal of articles from said cells and nesting of the empty carton.
 2. A container according to claim 1 wherein said retainer means includes a slotted transversely boss disposed at each end of said deck for retaining said partition in position.
 3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the means on the inner side of said cover panel is provided with spaced retainer members extending down from said cover panel and holding said partition therebetween.
 4. A container according to claim 1 wherein the means on the inner side of said cover panel comprises a slot to receive a locking lug on said partition extenDing through said slot. 